Membership Requirements

Membership within Omega Beta Iota is based on an applicant successfully demonstrating their osteopathic political experience through the completion of several requirements. An applicant must meet all requirements listed in category 1, and have at least one submission for each of category 2 and category 3 for an application to be considered; however, selection is based on the level of demonstrated dedication and involvement in osteopathic policy and advocacy, and final decisions are subject to the discretion of the National Board and the Membership & Recruitment Committee if an individual meets the criteria for induction into Omega Beta Iota.

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Student membership into ΩΒΙ may occur only after the completion of several requirements: 

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Category 1: ALL of the the following criteria are required for consideration of induction into Omega Beta Iota:

1. Membership in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

   • Verification of membership in good standing shall occur by supplying the AOA identification number only, which shall be confirmed with the national AOA membership roster. 

2. Successful completion of a minimum of one semester of medical school. 

   • OMS­I may qualify for induction if they have successfully completed one semester of coursework. Verification of this shall occur via the submission of an official transcript, if deemed necessary. 

3. Submission of a letter of recommendation from a politically involved physician (D.O. or M.D.) who can attest to the applicant’s political involvement.

   • The letter of recommendation must be submitted via email to the National Membership Chair at OBIMembershipChair@gmail.com or attached to the completed virtual application.

   • The letter of recommendation must be signed on an official letterhead.

4. Submission of a completed, official ΩΒΙ application by the stated deadline.

 

Category 2: Membership in at least one of the following organizations is encouraged for induction into Omega Beta Iota.

1. Membership in the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). 

   • Verification of membership in good standing shall occur in the following manner: the President or NLO of the applicant’s local SOMA chapter shall supply a letter attesting to the applicant’s membership and level of participation in the local SOMA chapter OR the applicant may upload an image from the studentdo.org portal with their name and ID number; additionally, applicant membership within SOMA will be confirmed by the national SOMA membership roster. 

2. Membership in the applicant’s respective state osteopathic medical association

   • Verification of membership in good standing shall occur in the following manner: the chapter president of the applicant’s state osteopathic association shall supply a letter attesting to the applicant’s membership and level of participation OR the applicant may upload other documentation of proof of membership.

3. Membership in the Osteopathic Political Action Committee (OPAC).

   • Verification of this requirement shall occur in the following manner: confirmation of membership by the American Osteopathic Information Association/OPAC, or applicants should attach their OPAC registration or confirmation email to the application.

 

Category 3: Political Advocacy/Activism and Training 

1. Past participation in advocacy events.

   • Examples of advocacy events include DO Day on Capitol Hill, COM or state day on Capitol Hill, Bureau of Emerging Leaders event. An acceptable alternative for participation in DO Day is successful completion of the Osteopathic Health Policy Internship (OHPI) program through AACOM or gold membership in the Osteopathic Advocacy Network. Verification will occur through submission of registration receipts, screenshots, or other proof of attendance and participation.

2. Participation in local, state, or national political campaigns

   • Verification of participation shall occur in the following manner: submission of a letter of recommendation from a member of the osteopathic community who can attest to the applicant’s local/state political involvement or submission of a signed letter of participation from a qualified campaign representative (campaign manager, political candidate, etc.).

3. Leadership role in a national student osteopathic association (e.g. COSGP, SOMA, SAAO, SOIMA, etc.) and/or on campus.

   • Verification shall occur by a letter from the organization’s president or chair.

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